Introducing Bex
30 March 2026
The Stats:
Nickname: Hawkeye
Superpower: Attention to detail, probably.
Biggest work achievement: Really hard to pick out a single project over so long! (and I’m terrible at pointing out my own achievements..!)
The big questions
You’ve been at Pad almost as long as anyone – what do you think has changed the most since you first joined?
The design landscape has changed. There is, not surprisingly, a lot more digital design being created than before, and therefore far fewer printed items. The balance would have been tipped the other way when I started nearly 20 years ago. I personally love printed items and the different paper textures, inks and print finishes, so I would be happy to see this make a comeback too! Other than that, we are all older, and I’m going to say wiser, haha.
How do you think you’ve changed as a designer since your first year at Pad?
I think I have always been an all-rounder when it comes to design, and I don’t think that’s changed. I do have a very low tolerance for things not being exact (hence the name Hawkeye), which I’m sure makes me one of the team’s least favourite people at times, but I can’t rest if I know a line is out of place! Overall, with time comes experience, and being at Pad has just added so much variety to that experience. I do try to push people out of their comfort zones when it comes to design, which I have probably grown more confident in doing as time has gone by.
You seem to have your fingers in everything – branding, websites, print, the lot. Do you have a favourite type of project, or does variety keep things interesting?
Variety is definitely something I love about Pad. It really does keep the creative brain active.
I do enjoy creating reports, as a lot of it is about consistency and precision. I also enjoy finding ways to bring a bit of visual interest to documents where the content naturally takes centre stage.
I also love website design, as this is an ever-evolving medium, with loads of exciting new tricks and moving parts that let us push boundaries to wow our clients.
Brand designs are always fun too, especially with the variety we have here at Pad. You never know who we might be designing for next!
You held the role of studio DJ. What was on your playlist – and are you still claiming that title?
Haha, I think some of the team will disagree with that title, or rather would prefer I wasn’t, especially when it comes to Christmas! My playlists were extremely varied. I love music, and having grown up with a parent in the music industry, I was very much surrounded by all genres and so wouldn’t say I am particularly tied to any. At home I love listening to my records, both old ones passed down, and modern artists too.
Is there a particular project at Pad that still stands out for you when you think back over the years?
That is really tricky, actually. There have been so many. While not a client project, I did really enjoy designing the new Pad brand. It was fun to do something more ‘us’ with some neat little quirks for Mark to bring to life on the website.
I’m really enjoying some projects we are working on currently, so watch this space!
How do you juggle work at Pad with having two kids – and has becoming a parent changed the way you approach work at all?
I am quite good at juggling (or rather that’s what I have to tell myself!). I think it just encourages me to be more efficient with time, be more empathetic, and to build better relationships with people. And maybe get some extra caffeine…!
You’re apparently not a fan of hot weather – where did that come from, and what’s your perfect kind of day?
I really can’t stand being too hot. It’s been that way since I was a teenager! No idea why, but it’s a bit of a running joke among pretty much everyone that knows me. My favourite day would be zero degrees but sunny, bright blue skies and no rain. Of course, where we live that’s pretty much 1 out of 365 days a year! This is why going to the Arctic was one of my favourite trips and I’d like to do more.
Are you more of a “plan everything” designer or “figure it out as you go”?
This really depends on the project. A lot of the planning is carried out by other team members before a project gets to me. From a design perspective, particularly for websites, it’s helpful to have the wireframes as a starting point, with the page structure already agreed. That doesn’t necessarily mean the design is predetermined – it often evolves throughout the design process.
For reports, we create flat plans and have an initial design stage, so that does include more planning than other projects.
With brand design, it’s better to see what comes naturally and not be too constrained by where the design might go – that’s often when the most interesting work emerges.
Is there a piece of advice – design-related or otherwise – that’s stuck with you over the years?
It’s not design-related, but the one thing I live by when things are tough is ‘this too shall pass’. With design, it’s boring… setting up stylesheets in our design software is going to save you a lot of hassle. And I’ll go on about that to anyone who will listen!
If you weren’t a designer at Pad, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Although I would love to be some kind of astronaut or space explorer, I don’t think my skills are quite what they’re looking for! So probably something else creative. I like to try new crafts, or skills whenever I can, I would possibly work with ceramics as I have enjoyed that in the past.